Issue - meetings

To consider a report from the Cabinet Member for Strategic Commissioning and Public Health and the Director of Public Health, on the findings of the consultation, the proposed model and the additional investment planned.The committee is asked to comment on and either endorse or make a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Commissioning and Public Health on the proposed decision to implement the new model for infant feeding support.

1.            Ms Sharp introduced the report and explained that she would be taking the lead on establishing and overseeing the new service to ensure it bedded in well.  She set out the historical context of the breastfeeding support service and the background to the current proposed new service.  The health visitor service had been the subject of concern in the past but work on improving their performance indicators had proved successful.  She reiterated points made in the petition debate about the need to promote breastfeeding and improve rates of initiation and continuation and the new model being a blend of the most positive elements of the previous model and new aspects, such as spot-purchasing of lactation consultants and use of new technology.  She emphasised the importance of careful monitoring of the transition period from the present service to the new and added that the new system was still a proposal; no decision about it had yet been made and would not be made until later in March. Ms Sharp, Ms Poole and Mr Scott-Clark then responded to comments and questions from Members, including the following:-

a)    the use of the most positive parts of the current service to build the new one was welcomed but concern was expressed about training of health visitors to prepare them for their new role, the limited time available at appointments and the number of issues which might need to be covered in that time. Ms Sharp emphasised that the 36 weekly drop-in clinics were a new addition which would offer more capacity for appointments. Ms Poole explained that health visitors were committed to the Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) and that 98% of health visitors had undertaken the latest additional BFI training required to achieve accreditation at stage 2 of this. She added that the 36 new drop-in clinics would be run by health visitors with a special interest in breastfeeding and who championed breastfeeding. Peer supporters would also be encouraged to be part of the new model.  Any complaints arising about the operation of the new clinics would be addressed by infant feeding leads (IFLs) but mothers would still have access to qualified, directly-employed or self-employed lactation consultants who could support them promptly with any complex breastfeeding issues. To employ lactation consultants to supplement planned specialist clinic sessions as part of a mixed model of fixed and flexible provision was considered to be the best way forward;

b)    asked about health visitor qualifications, the accreditation of these and how many health visitors held such qualifications, Ms Poole explained that all health visitors were registered nurses, many were also trained midwives, and all were trained in Infant feeding as part of their additional public health training to become health visitors.  The lactation consultants employed directly within the health visiting service would have the same  additional qualifications as those held by lactation consultants. Lactation consultants would be both in-house and self-employed, to offer optimum flexibility of service.  Mr Scott-Clark referred to the National Healthy Child  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52